The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Presents Pink Martini 11/21

Drawing its inspiration from the romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and 50s, while blending classical, jazz and global rhythms, Pink Martini performs on Sunday, November 21, 2010, at 8 p.m., at the Byham Theater. This concert is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Opus One Productions, as part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Founded in 1994 by bandleader/pianist Thomas Lauderdale in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Pink Martini quickly became an international phenomenon after the success of its first song, "Sympathique", which was nominated for "Song of the Year" at France's Victoires de la Musique Awards. Since then, Pink Martini has performed on stages around the world, including sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as performances with the Boston Pops, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the BBC Orchestra in London, among other symphony orchestras.

Pink Martini's newest album, Splendor in the Grass, draws inspiration from all over the world and continues Pink Martini's spirit of global collaboration and inclusivity. "The retro-minded, multilingual, virtuosic musicians of Pink Martini gleefully trip across boundaries with each new album...Jam-packed with unlikely excavations, inspired collaborations, obscure covers, and lyrics in languages ranging from Japanese to Neapolitan, it's a gift to music magpies the world over" (Interview Magazine).

"All of us in Pink Martini have studied different languages, as well as different styles of music from different parts of the world. Because of the diversity inside the band, there are endless ideas," says Lauderdale on Pink Martini's website. With their varying backgrounds and experiences, each of Pink Martini's 12 musicians contributes to the group's multicultural and multilingual repertoire. Band members include: Thomas M. Lauderdale (bandleader, piano); China Forbes (vocals); Robert Taylor (trombone); Gavin Bondy (trumpet); Brian Lavern Davis (congas, drums and percussion); Derek Rieth (percussion); Martín Zarzar (Latin percussion); Phil Baker (bass); Timothy Nishimoto (vocals, percussion); Nicholas Crosa (violin); Pansy Chang (cello); Dan Faehnle (guitar); and Maureen Love (harp).

"Pink Martini definitely is an original force in contemporary music even as it basks in eclectic nostalgia. It also bridges, better than any band in recent memory, the high-brow/pop culture divide" (The Washington Times).

Tickets ($47.75-$62.75) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the Trust Presents series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Pittsburgh Dance Council, Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Children's Festival, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O'Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty: a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org.